Frequently Asked Questions for Parents of Students with Disabilities Regarding School Year 2020-21
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is committed to providing parents and guardians of students with disabilities with the information necessary to prepare for the 2020-21 school year. ISBE has been working in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to provide guidance that ensures that the safety and health of students and adults are of the highest priority. It is important to keep in mind that any plan that local school districts or other serving entities make regarding the 2020-21 school year is also based on keeping everyone safe. Each school community is unique and will decide the format of instruction most appropriate based on what is occurring in the community, the data available, and collaboration with their local health department. Schools may implement in-person learning where a teacher and student are in the same physical space, remote learning where students and teachers are physically separated, and or blended learning where learning is both in-person and remote. School districts must provide remote learning services to any student upon request by their parent or guardian. The successful transition to the new school year for students with disabilities will be best accomplished by strong, ongoing collaboration and communication between families and schools. This document is intended to provide parents and guardians of children with disabilities with answers to common questions that they may have, along with some additional resources, as they prepare for the new school year.
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